Tanzania, Africa

Zanzibar in March

Good early month, increasingly stormy late month as the long rains approach. Discounts begin.

Quiet valueHot and humid, highs near 90F (32C), rains building late month

A dhow on the beach, Zanzibar — ZanzibarPhoto: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Z, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

March is a quiet, good-value month to visit Zanzibar. Good early month, increasingly stormy late month as the long rains approach. Discounts begin.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 90F (32C), rains building late month
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What March is like in Zanzibar

March is hot and humid, with highs near 90F (32C). The first half of the month is often still sunny and settled, but storms build toward the end as the long rains approach. Crowds thin and hotels start offering discounts. Ramadan can fall in March in some years, when many Stone Town restaurants close by day and the pace slows.

Early March suits value-minded beach travelers who can be flexible with plans. Late March is a gamble, and by April the long rains take over. If you need dependable sun, go in January, February or June to October. If you do come now, stay on the north coast, where you can swim at most tides.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Zanzibar this month.

Discounts begin

Rates drop as the high season ends, so you can get a better room or a beachfront spot for less.

Quiet beaches

Fewer visitors mean more space on the sand at Nungwi and Kendwa, especially early in the month.

Red colobus at Jozani

A half-day at Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park to see the endemic red colobus monkeys works in any weather.

What to pack for March

A light rain jacket for late-month storms
Quick-dry clothes
Insect repellent
Modest clothing for Stone Town, especially if Ramadan falls during your trip

Our timing tip

Book the first half of March rather than the second, since the long rains usually start building in the last week or two.

Book Zanzibar for March.

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Opens a hotel search for Zanzibar in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
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Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Zanzibar for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in March

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Moves about 11 days earlier each year

Many Stone Town restaurants close during daylight during Ramadan and visitors are asked to dress and eat discreetly in town. Eid brings celebrations and busy streets. It spans roughly February into March in 2027, then drifts into January and February by the end of the decade.

Things to do in Zanzibar

Full guide

Stone Town

Walk it early before the heat and tour groups. The Old Fort, the former slave market site at Christ Church, and the Forodhani Gardens night food market at sunset are the essentials.

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Mnemba Atoll snorkeling

Clear water, reef fish, turtles, and dolphin sightings off the northeast coast. Seas are calmest outside the long rains; morning trips beat the afternoon wind.

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Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

The best place to see the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey, plus a mangrove boardwalk. An easy half-day from anywhere on the island.

Tickets and tours →

A spice farm tour

Taste cloves, vanilla, cardamom, and nutmeg straight from the plant, usually combined with a local lunch. Good for all ages.

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Nungwi and Kendwa beaches

On the northern tip, with swimmable water at nearly all tides and the island's best sunsets. Busy in peak season.

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Paje and Jambiani

East coast lagoons with low-key guesthouses, seaweed farms, and some of Africa's best kitesurfing. Tides retreat far out; plan swims around high tide.

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Beat the crowds

Aim for September, October, or early June: dry-season weather with noticeably lower rates and fewer groups than July and August.
Do Stone Town at dawn and after sunset. Midday brings the heat and the day-tripping cruise and tour groups.
Book Mnemba snorkeling for the first boat of the morning, before the calmest water turns choppy and the boats multiply.
Stay on the quieter southeast or southwest coasts rather than Nungwi if you want space; the north is the island's busiest strip.

Know before you go

Several beach hotels and guesthouses close for part of April and May, during the long rains. Check before booking in those months.
During Ramadan, many Stone Town restaurants close by day, and some bars and nightlife close entirely. Resorts continue normal service.
The east coast's huge tidal range means swimming is only practical around high tide at Paje, Jambiani, and similar beaches; the north coast is much less affected.
Zanzibar has required visitors to buy a mandatory local inbound travel insurance policy since late 2024; check the current rule before travel, in addition to Tanzania's visa requirements.